BBC World Questions heads to South Africa

2 December 2024

BBC World Questions will be in Cape Town on Tuesday 10 December to bring together the public and leading political figures to discuss the future of the country.

Following South Africa’s general election in May, the African National Congress (ANC) lost its majority for the first time in 30 years, and has had to join forces with rivals The Democratic Alliance and eight other parties.

Is the Government of National Unity a cause for optimism? Or has governing South Africa become even more difficult? Democracy has been respected, the Rand has strengthened and many hope corruption will be put in retreat, but the big problems remain.

Inequality is stark, the crime rate is the highest in Africa, immigration is causing concern and half of young people are out of work. Can the different parties overcome their disagreements to deliver for the country?

The BBC World Service programme, which puts people and their questions at the heart of the debate, will be chaired by Jonny Dymond and recorded in front of a live audience from the Homecoming Centre in Cape Town.

The panel:

  • Nokuthula Nqaba, Secretary General of the African National Congress Women’s League
  • Solly Malatsi MP, Democratic Alliance – Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
  • Gayton McKenzie MP, Patriotic Alliance – Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
  • Naledi Chirwa, Economic Freedom Fighters, Member of the National Council of Provinces

Gwenan Roberts, Commissioning Editor, BBC World Service English, says: “We’re delighted to be coming to Cape Town for the 100th edition of BBC World Questions during a significant period for the country. Following the recent election, this is a timely debate, and I look forward to hearing from the public on the issues that matter most to them.”

The programme will be recorded in English in front of a live audience on Tuesday 10 December.

BBC World Questions: South Africa will be first broadcast on BBC World Service English on Saturday 14 December. It will be available online after at bbc.com/worldserviceradio, on BBC Sounds and on most other podcast platforms. A TV recording of the debate will be broadcast internationally on the BBC News Channel from 4 January.